Carvalho feared long lay-off

23 September 2008 09:33

Chelsea centre-half Ricardo Carvalho has admitted that he feared a much longer lay-off than the one he faces after suffering a knee injury against Manchester United.
The 30-year-old Portugal international is set to be sidelined for around a month, having strained a medial collateral ligament in the 1-1 draw with the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge.
Carvalho told the Daily Mirror: "I thought the injury was worse at first, because I thought my knee had cracked and I feared it would be much more grave.
"The tests show it could be three or four weeks, although that is very bad for me because I have important games for Chelsea and Portugal in October.
"But the Chelsea team showed, no matter what, that they have great character and pride by getting a point against Manchester United."
Carvalho joined the Blues from FC Porto in the summer of 2004 and has gone on to score ten goals in 169 appearances for the Premier League powerhouses.